While Pierzynski will earn a higher salary in 2014, the Red Sox preferred him at one year over Saltalamacchia at three years, largely due to their talented farm system that includes youngsters Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart.

"I think A.J. represents a lot of what we were looking for at the outset of the offseason when it came to the catcher position," Cherington said. "We wanted to maintain that position as a strength going into 2014 and also long-term, so we looked at several different options and we just felt like A.J. represented the best choice for us.

"He’s been an everyday catcher, a very good everyday catcher for a long time. He’s been on a lot of really good teams, he’s caught a lot of good pitchers, he’s been part of a lot of good pitching staffs, he’s obviously a threat with the bat. We think he complements our roster well. and more than that, and I guess on top of that ... we’re looking for guys who don't just want to win, but love to play and really are looking forward to coming to Boston. Aside from his talent, A.J. represented all of that. We just felt like it was the best fit for us.”

Pierzynski hit .272 with a .722 OPS in 2013. Wwhile he ranked last in the Majors with just 11 walks in 529 plate appearances last year - and last among catchers by seeing just 3.27 pitches per plate appearance - he has a reputation of being lockdown defensively.

"When you think about it, the catcher’s defensive contribution is not just one thing," Cherington said. "You look at their game-calling, their effect on a pitcher, what kind of success they're having on a pitcher. You look at throwing, blocking, training, all those things. Frankly it’s an area not just the Red Sox, but most teams are trying to get their hands around. We have done a lot of work on it but we feel like A.J., that’s one of his strengths; not necessarily one of those attributes, but the combination of all those defensive attributes, he’s been on the plus side. And we just think that the combination of A.J. and [David] Ross will allow that to be a position of strength for us next year, as it was this year."

"We had a number of conversations with him," Cherington said. "I'd rather not get into the specifics of those conversations except to say we really appreciate everything he did. Certainly Salty worked hard and overcame some adversity to become a very good primary catcher this year. He had a good year and put himself in a strong position going into free agency. If reports are accurate, I'm not sure that's been announced yet or not, we're happy for him. It's a good deal. We wish him well. But we felt like A.J. was the right fit for us and we're happy he's here."